BAFTA 2018: Kate Middleton breaks Time's Up dress code; wears dark green instead of black at awards show

London: The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton on 19 February defied the Times’s Up protest at the 71st British Academy Film Awards, organised by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), by wearing a green dress, instead of black worn by the celebrities attending the ceremony.

Film stars and directors made the one-colour statement to show support for the fight against sexual harassment against women, however, only the ribbon around Middleton’s Jenny Packham dress was black, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The dress code followed by BAFTA ceremony was to show solidarity with the Time’s Up movement that came into focus during the American Golden Globes held in January.

Middleton wore an empire line dress in a deep shade of green, which was complemented by an emerald necklace and earrings.

Perhaps in a subtle nod to the movement, she accessorised her attire with a black bow above her bump, matching her shoes and clutch handbag.

Before the ceremony, it was not made clear whether Middleton would wear an all-black outfit, with experts pointing out that royals only wear black at funerals, so supporting the cause would be a breach of protocol.

Bethan Holt, fashion news and features director at The Telegraph, told the publication, “The Royal Family very rarely get involved in political messaging, so perhaps it’s not such a surprise that she didn’t join in with the rest of the women and wear black tonight.”

But the vast majority of other attendees did wear black as well as Time’s Up badges — all in reference to a push for greater respect and equality since the Hollywood sexual harassment scandal.

Middleton and Prince William, who is the president of BAFTA, will meet with representatives including BAFTA Chief Executive Amanda Berry, and watch the star-studded ceremony from the front row, which takes place at the Royal Albert Hall.

William will also be presenting the Fellowship award — the ceremony’s highest accolade — to director Ridley Scott.

One of the few in a colourful dress was Best Actress winner Frances McDormand, but she said: “I stand in full solidarity with my sisters”, reports bbc.co.uk.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri actress Frances McDormand was wearing a patterned red and black outfit.

Gesturing to her dress while accepting the Best Actress award, she said, “As Martin (McDonagh) said, I have a little trouble with compliance.

“But I want you to know I stand in full solidarity with my sisters tonight in black. I also want to say that I appreciate a well-organised act of civil disobedience.”

Others to reference the issue from the stage included Mexican actress Salma Hayek, who wrote a personal account of her experiences with disgraced Hollywood Producer Harvey Weinstein, and, who presented the Best Actor award to Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour) on 19 February.

“In this very important and historical year for women, I am here on this legendary stage to celebrate men,” she said, before joking that McDormand had won best actor.

Actress Andrea Riseborough chose to bring UK Black Pride co-founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah as her guest, while Gemma Arterton, who starred in 2010’s Made In Dagenham, brought two of the original 1968 Dagenham Ford factory pay campaigners, Gwen Davis and Eileen Pullen.

Activists wearing T-shirts saying “Time’s Up Theresa” gatecrashed the red carpet.

A group called Sisters Uncut said they were protesting against Prime Minister Theresa May and the government’s Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill.

(With inputs from IANS)